Man City defeats Arsenal with goals from Hemp and Kelly

Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp, both of England, scored goals as Manchester City upset Arsenal at Academy Stadium in the Women’s Super League.

Hemp neatly completed Kelly’s low cross from the right to give City the lead in the fourth minute. City entered the game fourth, trailing the Gunners on goal differential.

When Kelly received a pass from Khadija Shaw shortly before the break, she beat Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger once more, doubling the hosts’ lead.

Stina Blackstenius, a striker for the Gunners, raced on to a long pass forward in the second half and was able to hold off Steph Houghton with strength and power, but her effort bounced over the right post.

Rafaelle Souza’s looping header from Frida Maanum’s deep free-kick gave the visitors a goal back, but it wasn’t enough to stop City.

In fact, the hosts had a chance to win by a bigger margin, but Yui Hasegawa’s 30-yard effort hit the crossbar, and Kelly’s attempt from outside the box narrowly missed.

With two points separating them from second-placed Manchester United, who play Spurs at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Gareth Taylor’s team moves over Arsenal into third with the victory.

The 2016 WSL champions, City, are only two points behind Chelsea in the lead despite the fact that Chelsea do not have a game this weekend.